The National Women's Soccer League officially announced a 25-game Olympic-style tournament on Wednesday. Utah Royals will host the event at three stadiums in Salt Lake County.
The league's nine clubs will play four preliminary-round games to determine seeding. The top eight will advance to the quarterfinals.
The semifinal and final will be played at Rio Tinto Stadium in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. The rest will be played at Zions Bank Stadium, home of the United Soccer League champion Real Monarchs.
Fans will not be permitted, but TV partner CBS will air the opening game and July 26 final and stream the rest via its subscription service.
"The NWSLPA, working closely alongside NWSL, is excited to provide players the opportunity to return to sport, while also securing compensation and other necessities to make sure players’ concerns, feedback and safety are at the forefront of all conversations,” NWSLPA executive directors Yael Averbuch of Montclair and Brooke Elby said in a statement. “As the plans for the tournament unfolded, it was our priority as the NWSLPA to protect our players, and we feel that NWSL shares those values."
Royals owner Dell Loy Hansen will accommodate all housing, training and competition needs for the league’s nine teams and create an “NWSL Village” to control as much of the environment as possible.
NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird and Hansen have met with Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, the Utah Sports Commission and local health officials.
“As our country begins to safely reopen and adjust to our collective new reality, and with the enthusiastic support of our players, owners, as well as our new and current commercial partners, the NWSL is thrilled to bring professional soccer back to the United States,” NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird said in a statement. “This exciting month-long tournament will showcase our league’s talented players and provide our fans the type of world-class entertainment they’ve come to expect from the NWSL.”
Though NWSL teams were allowed to progress to small-group training on Monday, Sky Blue has not yet begun preseason. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order Friday permitting professional athletes to fulfill "their job duties, including when those job duties may require person-to-person contact." Murphy clarified the order on Tuesday, saying New Jersey based pro teams could immediately return to practice and competition.
Follow Jane Havsy on Twitter: @dailyrecordspts
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: National Women's Soccer League to host tournament in Utah